"Summer Wars" is an interesting anime movie, but lacks inspiration and magic like "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" (2006), which was also directed by Hosoda Mamoru and produced by Madhouse.
Animation, voice acting and music were all above average, but none were truly exceptional. The story and setting were all too common in mainstream anime, a zero-to-hero plot where kids excel over hapless and stubborn adults. Also, "save the world" situation with satellite seemed like a deliberate plot device to raise the stakes. In addition, there were too many unlikely and unnatural setting and story developments that were simply too convenient.
Another fatal flaw is the headcount of characters, far too many to properly develop in a movie, with everyone being cardboard cutouts. The characters do not feel real, predicaments seem superficial. It is impossible to connect with the story the way you can with "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time".
One thing that really impressed me about this movie though, was the CGI. There were many truly breathtaking 3-D scenes in 'World of OZ', yet these scenes still retained the "anime qualities" that weren't protrusive against characters and 'real world' 2-D cel style anime scenes.
"Summer Wars" is an OK movie, but cyberspace is a common theme in anime, and this film fails to stand out. Those expecting a masterpiece comparable to "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" will be disappointed.
Animation, voice acting and music were all above average, but none were truly exceptional. The story and setting were all too common in mainstream anime, a zero-to-hero plot where kids excel over hapless and stubborn adults. Also, "save the world" situation with satellite seemed like a deliberate plot device to raise the stakes. In addition, there were too many unlikely and unnatural setting and story developments that were simply too convenient.
Another fatal flaw is the headcount of characters, far too many to properly develop in a movie, with everyone being cardboard cutouts. The characters do not feel real, predicaments seem superficial. It is impossible to connect with the story the way you can with "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time".
One thing that really impressed me about this movie though, was the CGI. There were many truly breathtaking 3-D scenes in 'World of OZ', yet these scenes still retained the "anime qualities" that weren't protrusive against characters and 'real world' 2-D cel style anime scenes.
"Summer Wars" is an OK movie, but cyberspace is a common theme in anime, and this film fails to stand out. Those expecting a masterpiece comparable to "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" will be disappointed.